Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 41 — page 134: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

KIDS’ GAME line. “You’ve got to come—I don’t care how. If you don’t I might flunk my math. So come,” A click sounded in the re- ceiver. The brazen message shocked him. Never before had Jake been so direct. It was down- right dangerous to drop the code phrase so abruptly. Dazed, he walked into the dining room and took his accustomed seat. What did it mean? Two nights in a row— unprecedented. His father was busy making faces at the baby in her high chair. His mother entered, carrying a steaming plate of potatoes. “Dad, that was Gregory. He wants me to come over and see his telescope tonight.” The other looked up quickly, then peered out of the window beyond Phil’s chair. ‘“‘It’ll be a bad night for it, Phil,’ he said. “Completely overcast.” His mother had paused in setting the table. She looked at him for a long moment, then resumed her job without saying anything. “We aren’t going to look at the stars, dad. And I won’t 133 be outside. I was just going to make some sketches of Greg- ory’s mounting. He said he’d help me.” There was a long silence. His mother left the dining room. His father did not look directly at him. He seemed thoughtful. , “Your mother and I were hoping you’d stay home tonight.” “Are you going to build a telescope, Phil?’ spoke up his six-year-old brother. Phil continued to stare searchingly at his father. He would actually have to go to Gregory’s. He would have to produce a sketch. But what else could he do? The tele- phone message was sufficiently urgent. “Can’t you answer your brother ?”’ Phil turned to the boy. “Yes, Gerry, J hope so.”’ He turned back to his father. “Dad—Gregory invited me over tonight. He already has his homework done and so have I. J told him I’d come.” “You can call him back and say you'll see the telescope tomorrow.” "Dad vip ix’ COMICDOOKS.COM